I'm waiting for an Aikido LV kit that I recently ordered, and I plan to have it follow a DAC with balanced outs. I'm familiar with the Broskie Cathode Follower, but I want some tube gain. To avoid using good transformers, which are quite expensive, I've been researching possibilities of modifying the Aikido the accept a differential input. I came across this page of Broskie's: Balanced-Ouput DACs and Tubes and Aikido

Half way through he takes the Aikido amp through four steps of modifications, eventually giving it a successful differential input with good CMRR. My main question is, has anyone had experience with this design? And, if not, do you believe it would be an effective method for giving it a balanced input?

I have this circuit in the prototype stage here:EZDAC with differential outputs directly into a BCF running 12AU7s with a B+ voltage of 250V. B+ rectification is via a 6CA4. Filaments are powered by 12VDC through a voltage doubler.

After only 8 hours of burn in this combination sounds awesome and doesn't need any further gain.

The Jensen JT-11P-1 will do the job nicely. You'll lose 3 dB in the transformer, but in most circuits this shouldn't be an issue. They're a bit spendy ($65~$100/ea depending on options) but their performance is stellar. I use them in my 300B amp.

Thanks for the transformer suggestions! But to be more specific, it's actually a balanced miniDSP that I want before Aikido LV line stage. I bought this line stage kit and thought it could be put to good use with a miniDSP because many people need line stage amps after them. And they could possibly share my H-PS-1 Glassware power supply.

I started this thread because I was hoping to take advantage of the optional balanced outputs for this miniDSP. Maybe cancel some noise from it, ect.

I just noticed on the datasheet that the balanced version has a much higher output than the unbalanced one (2Vrms vs. 0.9Vrms). So it looks like a line stage won't be needed . Maybe I'll order the unbalanced miniDSP...

I'll have to rethink the project. Above all, I'm just excited to build a tube preamp that runs on 24V!!